50K

The 50K course for 2019 offers magnificent views on an amazing point-to-point course following ridge trails through a diverse range of forest and wildflower meadows all the way up onto Mt. Hood. With 6,500' of elevation gain and 5,100' of loss and four full aid stations, the course is approachable enough as a first 50K, yet challenging, unique and scenic enough to inspire even the most experienced and discerning of ultramarathoners.

This is an incredibly diverse course. Runners travel through an assortment of ecological zones, including lush midsummer wildflower meadows, sub-alpine fir and larch forest, as well as a fascinating transition zone of Douglas fir/ponderosa pine forest that forms the border between western and central Oregon.

Most of the course is very runnable dirt singletrack, with a fair amount of hill climbing, a few rocky technical sections and a couple loose talus fields. The Timberline Trail and Umbrella Falls Trail on Mt. Hood also have several small creek crossings as well. There are a couple significant climbs, mixed with rolling hills and fun descents, while spectacular views await along the entire course.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2020

Bib Pickup & Check-In: 6:00AM-6:45AM (at Mt. Hood Meadows)

Shuttles Depart for Start Line: 7:00AM

Start Time: 8:00AM

Cut-Off: 3PM at Aid Station 4; 5PM at Finish Line (9 hours)

COURSE MAP

Click on the map image for a high resolution map, or download a .gpx file here.

ELEVATION CHANGE

The course includes approximately 6,500' of ascent along with 5,100' of descent. There are two significant but runnable climbs: from Aid Station 1 to Aid Station 2 and again from Aid Station 4 to where the course joins the Timberline Trail on Mt. Hood.

DROP BAGS

There will be no drop bags available, however crew can supply you with your own gear and nutrition at Bennett Pass Aid Station if desired/available.

PACERS

The event permit does not allow pacers.

Course Detail By Section:

Start to Aid Station 1 (Surveyor’s Ridge): Runners ride the shuttle buses to the start near Gibson Prairie Horse Camp, then depart on a brief section of gravel road before joining Surveyor’s Ridge Trail near Rim Rock. Runners then turn left (south) onto Surveyor's Ridge Trail and are immediately greeted with sweeping views of Mt. Hood and the upper Hood River Valley. From the start, it’s 5.5 miles on rolling terrain to Surveyor’s Ridge Aid Station.

Aid Station 1 (Surveyor’s Ridge) to Aid Station 2 (High Prairie): Leaving Surveyor's Ridge Aid Station, runners face a long, rolling 7.6-mile climb on the serenely forested and flowing Cooks Meadow Trail, offering several spectacular viewpoints of Mt. Hood along the upper half of the climb. Runners reach the high point of the course upon arrival at High Prairie Aid Station, on the border of the Badger Creek Wilderness near Lookout Mountain.

Aid Station 2 (High Prairie) to Aid Station 3 (Gunsight Ridge): Mt. Hood is getting SO CLOSE you can almost touch it! Leaving High Prairie, runners follow the historic Bennett Pass Road for a rocky 2-mile cliffside descent offering some of the most expansive and magnificent views anywhere on course. Runners then transition onto Gunsight Ridge Trail at the Gumjuwac Saddle, traversing some technical sections of talus slope, rocky ridgeline trail and mountain larch and fir forest. The trail ends at Gunsight Ridge Aid Station back on the historic Bennett Pass Road.

Aid Station 4 (Bennett Pass) to Finish (Mt. Hood Meadows): Leaving Bennett Pass Sno Park, runners head toward Mt. Hood, continuing on the Hwy 35 overpass to Sahale Falls Trail, passing some gorgeous and roaring waterfalls on the climb up Sahale Falls Trail, then Umbrella Falls Trail. The final climb continues up Umbrella Falls Trail, then turns onto the iconic Timberline Trail, offering completely humbling and awe-inspiring views of Wy’east above, with Mt. Hood Meadows finish area down below. Timberline Trail rolls along the mountain slope, thick with wildflower meadows, all the while flowing in and out of gullies with trickling springs and creeks that form the headwaters of the Hood River. The course then descends down a quick service road to Mt. Hood Meadows (yes, you will hear and see us cheering for you!), where runners finish at the lodge patio in full view of the mountain with friends and family!

CANCELLATIONS

This event is located on the Mt. Hood National Forest. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.